‘Tekken 8 character styles range from aggressive rushdown, strategic poking, to defensive keep-away tactics. Each fighter has unique movesets encouraging diverse approaches.’
Trying to wrap your head around how everyone fights in the new Tekken? Figuring out Tekken 8 what are the different character styles can feel daunting at first, since every character plays so differently. Some are in your face, constantly attacking while others are more measured, waiting for openings.
The sheer variety of fighting styles adds so much to the game’s depth. It’s this diverse range that keeps players coming back to experiment and learn. It is a big part of what makes Tekken 8 so engaging.
Tekken 8 What are the Different Character Styles?
Alright, fighting game fans! Let’s talk about the heart of any Tekken game: the characters! Tekken 8 brings back a bunch of our favorites, and they all fight in their own unique ways. It’s not just about button mashing; it’s about learning how each character moves and attacks. These differences in fighting styles are what make Tekken so fun and deep. Let’s break down the main ways these characters play, so you can pick the best one for you. We will explore everything from powerful rushdown specialists to tricky, defensive experts.
Understanding Archetypes: The Building Blocks of Playstyles
Before diving into individual characters, let’s discuss character archetypes. These are like the general categories that fighters fall into. Thinking about these categories makes it easier to learn characters. Think of it like learning about different types of animals. You might know that a cat is a predator but is still very different from a lion. Tekken is very similar; you can see similar patterns but each character has their own unique differences. Here are a few key archetypes in Tekken 8:
- Rushdown: These characters are all about aggression! They want to get in close and stay there, applying constant pressure and overwhelming opponents with a flurry of attacks. They might not have the safest tools, but they have the potential to dominate very quickly.
- Keep-Away/Zoner: Just like in a basketball game, these characters excel at keeping the opponent at a distance. They use long-range attacks and projectiles to poke and prod while keeping safe from counterattacks.
- Balanced/All-Around: This group of characters can do a little bit of everything! They have a good mix of close-range and long-range options, making them adaptable to most situations. They are a good starting point for new players.
- Grapplers: Characters that focus on throws and command grabs, forcing opponents to react to them. These characters are not usually combo heavy.
- Mix-Up Characters: Characters who use a lot of low and high attacks to create pressure on defense.
- Stance Characters: Characters that enter into a different state, and when they do that their moves are different.
Detailed Look at Character Styles
Now that we know a few main categories, let’s delve deeper into how these styles play out in Tekken 8 by exploring some character examples:
The Aggressors: Rushdown Characters
Rushdown characters are like the speed demons of Tekken. They are all about getting up in your face and applying constant pressure. Here are some examples:
- Bryan Fury: Known for his intimidating presence, Bryan is a pure pressure character. He has powerful strings and counter hit tools that make it difficult for opponents to stop his offense. His “Taunt” move can boost his attack power to make his offensive even more scary. He is very powerful in the right hands.
- Paul Phoenix: With his raw power, Paul is a frightening rushdown character. He can quickly close the distance with his fast moves and has a powerful “Demolition Man” that can make anyone think twice about trying to stop him.
- Hwoarang: With his Tae Kwon Do kicks, Hwoarang is a relentless attacker. He can keep his attacks varied with his stances and has very hard to react to mix-ups. He is a very technical character.
These characters want to be close. They thrive in the chaos of close combat and can overpower opponents with constant offense.
The Masters of Distance: Keep-Away/Zoner Characters
These characters control the pace of the match by keeping their opponent at a distance. They are patient and careful, looking for openings to punish mistakes.
- Lei Wulong: Lei is known for his many stances and unpredictable movements. He is very hard to pin down and loves to play from a distance. Lei can switch between many different styles and has moves for every range making him very hard to predict.
- Yoshimitsu: With his unique fighting style and odd moves, Yoshimitsu can cause anyone to scratch their head. He can easily control space with his sword and his strange movements can make him very difficult to approach.
- Sergei Dragunov: Dragunov is a character who excels at keeping you out while being able to punish whiffs. He has fantastic range and poke tools that make him hard to approach while being able to punish mistakes.
These fighters use range and projectiles to control the battle from a safer position and punish mistakes.
The Adaptable Fighters: All-Around Characters
These fighters are like the Swiss Army knives of Tekken. They don’t have any glaring weaknesses, and can adapt to pretty much any situation.
- Jin Kazama: Jin is a very balanced character. He can play both aggressively and defensively. He does not have any glaring weaknesses, making him a fantastic starting point.
- Kazuya Mishima: Kazuya is known for his powerful attacks and strong neutral game. He has great punishment and is good at all ranges making him very balanced, but a hard character to play to his maximum potential.
- Lili De Rochefort: Lili is a very mobile and agile character. She is great at spacing and pressure. She has a few unique moves that help her evade attacks and make her hard to pressure.
All-around characters are great choices for new players. They give you a taste of all aspects of Tekken.
The Grapplers: Masters of the Throw
These characters focus on grabs and throws that inflict massive damage. They force opponents to play their game and makes you think twice about your defense.
- King: King is the king of grabs (pun intended). He has a wide range of chain throws that he can use to confuse opponents and quickly take away health. He is a terrifying grappler who you want to be very careful around.
- Armor King: Armor King is the more aggressive version of King. He has very powerful mix-up tools and amazing throws. He is a very dangerous character who can take away half your health in seconds with the right read.
- Mardyuk: He is also a grappler who uses his big size to punish mistakes. He has powerful moves that can also deal tons of damage and also very scary throws.
Grapplers are very scary opponents. When they get in, they make you think twice about your defense and their reads.
The Tricky Ones: Mix-Up Characters
These characters use a variety of low and high attacks to confuse opponents and keep them guessing.
- Xiaoyu Ling: She uses many different stances to confuse opponents with her lows and high attacks. She can move in very unpredictable ways and is very hard to punish if you don’t know her moves.
- Asuka Kazama: Asuka is an evasive character who can use her moves to avoid pressure and punish mistakes. Her attacks are hard to predict and can catch many off guard.
- Lee Chaolan/Violet: Lee is a very mix-up heavy character who excels at pressure. He has a variety of lows and highs that make him hard to defend against.
These characters are very scary up close and force opponents to think twice about their defense.
The Stance Dancers: Stance Characters
These characters use stances to gain an advantage and change up their offense and defense.
- Devil Jin: Devil Jin uses stances to improve his attacks. He is a very powerful character who when used correctly, is very hard to punish.
- Feng Wei: Feng can use stances to evade pressure and quickly go on the offense. He has very powerful attacks that make him scary at all ranges.
- Zafina: Zafina changes stances to use different moves. She has a lot of tools to keep opponents guessing and can be very tricky to deal with.
These characters are very hard to deal with because of their ability to change and have different attacks and defenses.
Finding Your Perfect Fighter
Okay, so we’ve looked at a lot of different ways that Tekken 8 characters fight! You might feel a bit overwhelmed, and that’s perfectly normal. The most important part is to find a character that you enjoy playing. Don’t just pick a character based on who’s considered “strongest.” Think about how you like to play games. Do you like getting in close and being aggressive? Maybe try a rushdown character like Paul or Bryan. Do you like playing carefully and keeping your distance? Try a zoner like Lei or Yoshimitsu. Or maybe you want to find someone who is a good mix of both, then go with Jin or Kazuya.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when picking a character:
- Do I like to be aggressive or defensive?
- Do I like to be in close or far away?
- Do I like to have a lot of options, or do I prefer a simpler play style?
- Do I want to focus on throws and grabs, or more on punches and kicks?
- Do I want a character who is tricky or straight forward?
Try different characters. Don’t be afraid to experiment! That’s part of the fun. Watch videos online, read guides, and, most importantly, play the game! You will soon find a character that fits your play style, and that’s the beginning of your journey into Tekken!
Tekken 8’s characters are like a giant box of LEGOs. You have to build your own playstyle that will work for you. Every character is viable and fun, you just need to take the time to pick what you like. The goal isn’t to pick the “best” one, but the one that will make you have the most fun.
Which Character Should a Tekken Newcomer Pick?
Final Thoughts
Tekken 8 presents diverse character styles, ranging from aggressive rushdown to defensive play. Some characters excel at close-quarters combat with powerful strings. Others prefer keeping opponents at bay with long-range tools. Players should experiment to find which style best fits their own.
This variety in Tekken 8 what are the different character styles means there’s a character for everyone. Consider your fighting preferences before choosing a main.
